Pest-control officer accused of plot to fabricate ovitrap data
An investigation has been launched into allegations that Food and Environmental Hygiene Department staff tampered with data on mosquito infestation.
Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food York Chow Yat-ngok said the department would not tolerate any acts of maladministration and corruption by staff. He said an internal investigation was under way.
'We have zero tolerance for any acts of maladministration that occur in government departments. This is especially true if there is any element of corruption,' he said yesterday.
'We are taking this matter seriously and if there was any wrongdoing or a concealment of the truth, strict disciplinary action will be taken. A deputy director from the department has been put in charge of the investigation and will pass the findings to the director.'
Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene Eddy Chan Yuk-tak said investigations began last week after a government contractor filed a complaint. According to Christian Environmental Health Ltd, a department employee ordered the company to clean out mosquito traps placed in problem areas to stop government officers getting accurate readings.
Ovitraps are used to assess the mosquito population of an area by counting how many eggs are laid in stagnant water in the trap. Mosquitoes spread dengue fever.
The Kwai Chung pest-control officer, who allegedly called the contractor five months ago, wanted to artificially lower the mosquito population figures for the district, and threatened trouble if the contractor failed to co-operate.
The contractor was provided with a map showing the locations of the traps and told to ensure its staff removed their uniforms before swapping the water in the traps with fresh water.
Mr Chan said a review was being conducted at locations that have experienced substantial declines in their ovitrap indices over recent months. The ovitrap index for Kwai Chung improved from 17.8 in June to zero in August, while Tsing Yi's dropped from 36.5 in May to zero in June and July.
